SUFFOLK'S world-famous Saxon museum at Sutton Hoo today boasts an unusual new exhibition containing a mural and paintings created by young offenders.A group of inmates from HM Young Offenders Institution, Warren Hill yesterday attended a reception at Sutton Hoo's new visitor centre where their handiwork was unveiled.

By James Fraser

SUFFOLK'S world-famous Saxon museum at Sutton Hoo today boasts an unusual new exhibition containing a mural and paintings created by young offenders.

A group of inmates from HM Young Offenders Institution, Warren Hill yesterday attended a reception at Sutton Hoo's new visitor centre where their handiwork was unveiled.

The mural, six large panels and three paintings were inspired by the Anglo-Saxon burial site and its treasures.

The project was devised by Valerie Armstrong, a teacher at Warren Hill, and Nancy Waterfall, who is Sutton Hoo's learning officer.

The students, who are aged between 15 and 18, were provided with guide books, photographs and articles on Sutton Hoo and used this information as the basis of their own interpretations of prized artifacts such as the warrior's helmet and shield.

Ms Waterfall said: "Part of the National Trust's vision is to act as a catalyst for learning and to create opportunities for life-changing experiences for all kinds of people.

"Many of the young people at Warren Hill have had minimal education and as a result their sense of self-worth is very low.

"The boys who have been involved in the project have demonstrated considerable commitment and talent in the way they've approached the exhibition and so we are keen to publicly recognise their achievement and show them how much we value their work."

The new Sutton Hoo exhibition will be open to the public on weekends until the end of February, 2003.

For more information call 01394 389700.

Weblinks

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

www.suttonhoo.org